Kevin Clark, drummer in 'School of Rock,' dies at 32

By Megan Armstrong | Last updated 5/26/21

School of Rock has experienced a recent pop culture resurgence, but the latest news is tragic.

According to TMZ, Kevin Clark has died "after a motorist hit him while he was cycling around Chicago" early Wednesday morning. Clark, who played kid drummer Freddy Jones in the 2003 Jack Black-led movie, was struck by a Hyundai Sonata. He was 32 years old.

TMZ provided more context: "Kevin was rushed to a hospital, but was pronounced dead at 2:04 AM CT ... according to the Cook County Medical Examiner. Kevin's sister says he was riding his bike home at the time of the accident. Police say a 20-year-old woman was driving the car that struck and killed Kevin. She was not arrested, but has been issued citations."

Clark's lone acting credit was School of Rock, written by Richard Linklater, as his true calling was drumming. During a 2018 Tenacious D set in Chicago, Clark reunited with Black.

A "heartbroken" Black recognized Clark's passing on Instagram, calling him a "beautiful soul":

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A post shared by Jack Black (@jackblack)

Allison Clark, Kevin's mother, told the Chicago Sun-Times that her son's newest band Jessie Bess and the Intentions had just played their first live show Saturday. "He's just a raw talent," she added. "He's got a heart of gold."

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